Pusher tray adapter

ABSTRACT

An adapter with trays and dividers for use with existing merchandise displays that allows for the display of products that would not otherwise fit within existing merchandise displays. In some embodiments, the adapter works in conjunction with pusher devices of existing merchandise displays so that product is pushed to the front of the tray as product is removed from the tray.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter for use withexisting merchandise display racks.

BACKGROUND

Some of the current merchandise display racks in retail stores aredesigned to hold specific-sized product, such as cigarette boxes orcylindrical containers containing tobacco product, but cannotaccommodate both. These display racks can include trays that hold aplurality of the specific-sized product. Moreover, current trays ofteninclude pushing features that cause the specific-sized product to moveforward automatically as the forward-most product is removed. Becausethe pushing feature advances product forward, product is always at thefront of the display rack and accessible to a user. The currentlyavailable displays often only accommodate product of a specific size,and cannot be used with products of other sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide an adapter that allows existingmerchandise display trays to accommodate products that are not sized tofit within the existing display trays. In some embodiments, the adapterworks in conjunction with any pusher devices of existing display trays,which eliminates the need to add additional spring-loaded features tothe adapter. In this way, the adapter allows different-sized product tobe displayed in existing display trays, without limiting thefunctionality of any pusher devices of the existing display trays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the adapter according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of two adapters of FIG. 1, shown in usewith product and an existing merchandise display tray.

FIG. 3 is bottom plan view of the adapter of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1-3 show various views of one embodiment of the invention. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the adapter 100 includes at least oneadapter tray 104 and at least one divider 106. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the adapter 100 includes two adapter trays 104, separated byone divider 106. The adapter 100 corresponds in size and shape to thedisplay trays 124 of existing merchandise displays 120, as shown in FIG.2, so that the adapter 100 fits within the existing display tray 120.The adapter trays 104 are wider than the display trays 124 of theexisting merchandise displays 120 to accommodate different sized andshaped products (such as product 118) that would not otherwise fitwithin the existing display trays 124. As one example, the existingdisplay tray 124 can hold cigarette boxes, but is not sized toaccommodate product that is wider, such as cans of smokeless tobacco.The adapter 100 can be used with existing merchandise displays 120 toexpand the width of the display tray 124 to accommodate larger products,such as cans of smokeless tobacco. The adapter 100 can be sized toaccommodate various other products of different shapes and sizes.

In the embodiment shown, the adapter 100 includes a front panel 108 thatretains the forward-most product 118 (shown in FIG. 2) within theadapter tray 104. The product is readily accessible by a user. Theadapter 100 also includes a back panel 110 and side panels 114 thatretain product within the adapter tray 104. As shown in FIG. 3, theadapter 100 includes a bottom 112. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3,the bottom 112 includes one or more slots 102. As shown in FIG. 2, theexisting merchandise display 120 can include one or more pushers 116within each display tray 124. The pushers 116 can be spring-loadedpushers, or can be any other suitable mechanism for advancing productforward, such as rubber bands or plastic coils. The slots 102 correspondin shape and size to pushers 116 of the existing merchandise displays120 (shown in FIG. 2). In this way, the adapter 100 allows the use ofthe existing pusher 116 and eliminates the need for a separate pusher.Each pusher 116 rests against the backward-most product in the adaptertray 104 and advances the product forward as product is removed by auser. The slots 102 are sized to receive the pusher 116 so that movementof the pusher 116 is unobstructed. In this embodiment, a lip 122 can beprovided in the bottom 112 of the adapter 100 to keep product 118 fromfalling through the slot 102.

Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 has two adapter trays 104 andone divider 106, the adapter 100 may include any number andconfiguration of adapter trays 104 and dividers 106 to fit within thetrays of existing merchandise displays (such as the display 120 shown inFIG. 2), so long as there is at least one adapter tray 104 and at leastone divider 106. In another embodiment, the adapter includes one adaptertray and one divider. In some embodiments, the divider can be a graphicpanel to advertise the product. The divider shown in FIGS. 1-3 is justone of many possible designs; for example, the divider can be anysuitable shape and size.

Accordingly, the number of adapter trays 104 and dividers 106 of theadapter 100 can correspond to the number of display trays 124 in anexisting merchandise display, or can be less than the number of trays inthe existing merchandise display. If the number of adapter trays 104 anddividers 106 is smaller than the number of display trays in the existingmerchandise display, the merchandise display 120 can house products ofvarious sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, product 118 may bestored within the adapter trays 104 of the adapter 100 and smaller sizedproduct may be stored within the display trays 124 of the existingmerchandise display 120 that are not being used with the adapter 100.

The adapter 100 can be made from corrugate or plastic, or any othersuitable material.

Also provided is a method of using the adapter 100 with existingmerchandise displays (such as the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2).In some embodiments, the adapter 100 is preloaded with product before itis shipped to the retailer. In other embodiments, the adapter 100 isshipped to the retailer without product and is loaded with product bythe retailer. One or more adapters 100 are placed within existingmerchandise displays; specifically, the one or more adapters 100 restwithin one or more display trays 124 so that any existing pushers 116 ofthe existing merchandise displays 120 are received through the slot 102and movement of the pushers 116 is not obstructed by the adapter 100.The one or more adapters 100 then are stocked with product so that thepusher 116 pushes against the backward-most product. The one or moreadapters accommodates product that is larger in width or diameter thanproduct that otherwise could be housed within the existing display trays124. As a product is removed from an adapter tray 104, the correspondingpusher 116 advances the remaining product forward so that a productalways rests against the front panel 108 of the adapter 100.

Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to thestructures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention and the followingclaims.

1. A merchandise display device comprising: (a) at least two displaytrays; (b) at least one pusher for pushing product forward; (c) at leastone adapter comprising: (1) at least one adapter tray sized to fitwithin a first of the at least two display trays; (2) at least onedivider sized to fit within a second of the at least two display trays;and (3) each adapter tray having at least one slot sized to receive theat least one pusher, wherein a plurality of product is capable of beinghoused within the one or more adapter trays, the product havingdimensions not capable of fitting within the at least two display trays.2. The merchandise display device of claim 1, wherein the adapter ismade of corrugate.
 3. The merchandise display device of claim 1, whereinthe adapter is made of plastic.
 4. The merchandise display device ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter comprises two adapter trays and onedivider.
 5. The merchandise display device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one adapter tray is adapted to hold cans of smokeless tobacco. 6.The merchandise display device of claim 1, wherein the at least onedivider is a graphic panel.
 7. A method for displaying productcomprising: (a) providing a merchandise display device comprising: (1)at least two display trays; (2) at least one pusher for pushing productforward; (b) providing at least one adapter comprising: (1) at least oneadapter tray sized to fit within a first of the at least two displaytrays; (2) at least one divider sized to fit within a second of the atleast two display trays; (3) each adapter tray having at least one slotsized to receive the at least one pusher; (c) housing product within theone or more trays, the product having dimensions not capable of fittingwithin one of the at least two display trays; and (d) advancing productby means of the at least one pusher upon removal of product from theadapter.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing anadapter made of corrugate.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprisingproviding an adapter made of plastic.
 10. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising providing an adapter comprising two adapter trays and onedivider.
 11. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing productthat is cans of smokeless tobacco.
 12. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising providing a divider that is a graphic panel.